Geriatric neuropsychology: implications for front line clinicians.
Consistent with the aging population, neuropsychologists are being asked with increased frequency to evaluate older adults. These assessments are often complicated by medical and psychiatric co-morbidities, polypharmacy, and complex psychosocial and legal issues that are frequently encountered in this population. The aim of this review article is to address the challenges neuropsychologists and other frontline clinicians often confront when evaluating older individuals. Specifically, we review psychiatric and medical co-morbidities, testing accommodations, diagnostic versus descriptive testing approaches, normative issues, polypharmacy, and reimbursement rates. Finally, future implications are discussed for advancing the neuropsychologist's role in evaluating and treating older individuals.
Jamora
Christina Weyer
CW
San Francisco Clinical Neurosciences, San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA. cyweyer@aol.com
Ruff
Ronald M
RM
Connor
Bonnie B
BB
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D005852:Geriatric Psychiatry / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000592:standards; D009484:Neuropsychology / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D010820:Physicians